Colin Youngs wrote

"Miles Bader" schreef

: [I'm not sure if it's connected, but Japanese CCs are also _much_
: stingier about extending credit past the end of the month -- you
: _can't_ just decide to pay off your card bill a bit more slowly if
you
: realize you're a bit skint this month

Same in Belgium. When I get my monthly credit card bill, I must pay
the
outstanding amount on the card in full. Each new month must start
with a
zero balance.

It is not possible casually to accumulate large amounts of credit
simply by
allowing your payments to get further and further into arrears.

In the UK plastic is defined as debit cards, credit cards and charge
cards.

Charge cards are the "pay in full each month" type defined above for Be
& Jp. Classic American Express is the usual example though AmEx now
have credit cards too.

Most UK CC issuers offer an option for automatic payment of the minimum
or the full bill by bank transfer (Direct Debit) so avoiding interest
costs and late fees unless you can't pay or deliberately choose to
underpay.


--
Mike D